‘Kamu mau minum kopi susu?’ one passer-by asked their companion as they ploughed the streets of Surabaya.
They knew each other well and felt comfortable enough using the more formal pronoun. Their place of origin is unknown, although the clumsy nature of their Bahasa suggested they were visitors.
Nevertheless. ‘Ya, saya mau minum kopi susu dan makan kue,’ responded the second. Sustenance thus sought, the duo continued on their way with a renewed sense of purpose. The search for coffee was underway.
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As it turned out, the quest was a comparatively short one. Java’s eastern capital is a substantial place, soundtracked by the familiar rat-a-tat of wooden gerobak carts plying refreshments.
The pair wandered along an arterial road, the Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium receding behind them.
They alighted down a side street and, hearing the familiar sound, smelled the ensuing unique aroma of Javanese coffee. Dua kopi susu quickly ordered, they turned to observe their surroundings. The heavy lunchtime traffic continued unabated as a kettle boiled behind the two companions.
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